Our History with the Registered Miniature Hereford Breed:
Karl grew up on a tobacco farm in Middle Tennessee where he worked most days with a team of mules, Registered Jersey Dairy Cows and Standard size Registered Herefords. From a profit perspective he learned early-on that quality outlasts quantity: always. Proving this point, prices for the Hereford cow and bull had always been the very highest at the sale barn. Registered Breeding Stock always commanded premium prices. Should we decide to do business together, you will find that we have a drive for uncompromising quality. We make mistakes, but we try to transfer this sense, or pride, of ownership to all we associate with.
Around a working farm one runs into numerous hazards to life and limb. Standard size live stock, while not necessarily intentionally dangerous can cause quite a bit of property damage when they get out, consume a huge quantity of forage, need heavy duty fencing and equipment, and when one steps on you or bumps you it can be off to the Emergency Room, or at least painful down-time. I'm not alone in my belief that the exploding size of the Standard Breeds have all but left the joy of being a cattle-man to the few with many acres and fabulously expensive rolling stock, and insurance rates.
The direct opposite exists with the miniature Hereford, or even the smaller original size of the breed (the Classic.) Today,
people live on smaller acreages using lighter equipment, wanting to enjoy live stock. Thus the call for the Miniature Hereford, and breeding stock means Miniature Registered Herefords. Looking out my window in the morning at our herd of Miniature Herefords is a real delight. Waiting to
see the delivery of a 30# calf, witnessing the joy an education a youngster can have is too much to express in words. Here is one of those double click pictures: SEE WHAT TEXAS A&M THINKS about miniature Herefords.
Living on a small farm in South Texas, we were in anticipation of these joys again. So, in May of 2000 Nancy purchased an outstanding miniature Hereford bull and two open (un-bred) heifers. In buying our foundation stock, we spent as much money to buy the very best that we could afford. Since those beginning days, I've come to realize that our breeding trio of Mini Herefords was as good as anyone could buy, and I believe as a result, my baby mini cows can be crowed about by anyone that purchases them.
I've been told that of this writing, there are only about 12,000 of these Miniature Registered Herefords in the U.S.A. Not everyone wants a show cow, and if you don't, that's OK. It's just that our goal is to provide that quality of cow. Not to say all turn out that quality, and we do have non show-quality Miniature Hereford calves on the place for you to consider.
We get two kinds of visitors: those coming with cattle and knowledge about them and those that are seeking knowledge on how to get, in the gourmet beef business; those looking for a pet; or
just looking for an Ag-exemption on their small acreage. To each of these folks I say that it all comes down to this: the most important thing for the cattle
owner (large or small) is fertility and good looks, and no other cow can beat the Miniature Hereford, they breed at 12-13 months, and then again consistently
year after year, they raise their baby on less feed and that baby matures earlier than any other; and the white face looks real good. The next thing is longevity: female Herefords, raised on good grass are the best there is on all counts.
There is no other
breed that supplies bulls like the Hereford. They are rugged, adapt to practically all climates, and cover their herds consistently. Stated simply, they live longer and breed more cows on a year to year basis than any other breed of cattle. Next we
talk about cow care. Cattle are one of the easiest of all large animals to take care of and we have found a miniature cow makes it even easier. Constantly changing environmental conditions such as temperature, rainfall, terrain, and altitude vary greatly throughout the country, but Miniature
Herefords are known to be a very hardy animal and adapt well to almost all environments. Nutritional needs can vary slightly from one region to the next but as long as their basic needs are met they do very well. The Miniature Hereford wants to have plenty of good hay for winter and a
good pasture for summer, a source of fresh water, and a salt/trace mineral supplement available to them. And that's about it. We found it a good idea to find a local veterinarian one that can treat cattle and make house calls just
in case of an emergency. It could be disastrous to find yourself without veterinary care in a time of great need. A proper vaccination schedule for Bangs & Blackleg was established for the prevention of these diseases in all cattle (but they have nearly eradicated these.) No elaborate facilities are needed
in the general care of the Miniature Herefords but some type of restraint is necessary when you want to work with them. Whether being just a head gate, squeeze chute or a maternity pen, nothing too expensive is needed because of their docile nature and small size. At first we just used a
halter and gate set up against a wood fence. As with all animals, they should have access to a shelter whether it being a barn, lean-to or some type of windbreak for protection against nature's elements. In our climate a simple shed is fine, they seldom ever even stand under it,
preferring the Live Oak trees. Special fencing is also not a necessity, but a strand of whatever fencing that is being use should be close to the ground as the calves are smaller than traditional size calves and they can sometimes walk underneath. I have learned to us battery powered
fencing for quick and easy management of my small acreage's grassland. Other than basic necessities, getting started with Miniature Herefords is easier than you think. All you need is a little land, a fence and you have the start of a rewarding
experience with Miniature Herefords.
We want to be your Contract Breeder. That is a local farmer that grows beef and Breeding Stock for future delivery to an individual, on a Lay Away plan. See what's availability.
Nancy's Reasons to buy Miniature Herefords
We have been practicing the all-natural organic method of farming since 1970. By this method we are committed to providing uncompromising quality in a farm produce of livestock that is fit to eat.
Some people tell us that we do things pretty well. The is a short list of Testimonials read More . . .
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